By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, January 21, 2206 - President William Ruto has made fresh changes within Kenya’s foreign service, reassigning senior envoys as part of a wider effort to fill gaps left by ambassadors whose terms have ended.
Among the changes, Ambassador Ababu Namwamba has been reassigned as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, taking up a key regional posting in Kampala. At the same time, Ambassador Joash Maangi has been moved to Brussels, where he will serve as Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.
The reassignments were confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by the Executive Office of the President. According to the notice, the changes take effect immediately and are aimed at ensuring continuity in Kenya’s diplomatic representation abroad.
Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei said the adjustments were necessary following the completion of service terms by several ambassadors.
“His Excellency the President has this afternoon sanctioned changes within the nation’s Foreign Service. The changes are necessitated by vacancies arising from the completion of the terms of service of serving ambassadors,” Koskei said in the statement dated January 21, 2026.
The reshuffle comes a day after President Ruto formally dispatched a new group of ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general, emphasising the central role of diplomacy in advancing Kenya’s global interests.
Addressing the envoys at State House on Tuesday, the President described diplomatic service as one of the highest callings in public life, noting that those appointed carry the country’s identity and aspirations beyond its borders.
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“There is no greater honour in public service than the duty to represent one’s country internationally,” Ruto said, urging the diplomats to promote Kenya’s values, protect national interests and build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.
The envoys have been tasked with driving outcomes-focused economic diplomacy, in line with Kenya’s development agenda anchored on initiatives such as the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Their mandate includes attracting trade and investment, supporting job creation for young people and promoting shared prosperity.
Earlier, on January 17, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei hosted the ambassadors- and consuls-general-designate for a preparatory luncheon, where he highlighted the growing demands of global diplomacy.
“At such a defining moment in global history, we need more adept diplomatic hands to steer our nation’s interests and safeguard vital global public goods,” Sing’Oei said, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on their responsibilities.
